Holding A Team Meeting

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To successfully manage a youth soccer team, the coach needs all the parents and players to have a clear understanding of how the team is going to operate during the season (and sometimes between seasons).  Clear, proactive communication is essential to get, and keep, everyone on the same page.  Email messages can be effective, to a degree, but nothing is as powerful as a brief, yet well organized, pre-season team meeting.  Below are three topics that I suggest coaches go over with their players and parents before the first game.  Some coaches may choose to have this meeting after one of the team’s first practices.  I suggest organizing a team party or picnic during the pre-season.  This way, the meeting can be both informative and social (an important part of team cohesion).

#1 Introduce yourself.  This might be hard to believe, but some players and parents are intimidated or a bit mystified by coaches.  Tell the group a little about yourself.  Let them see that you are a flesh and blood, human being and not some coaching robot.  Be open about your qualifications as a coach.  This helps parents set reasonable expectations.  If you have limited experience as a soccer coach, make sure you let everyone know the skills you do possess that will ensure that the players will learn and enjoy themselves.

#2 Set the course for the season.  Let everyone know how you plan on managing the team.  Remind everyone that BSC teams value development over game success.  The BSC is a competitive soccer club, but our coaches never make decisions that favor team success over individual player development.  Let the team know that you’ll be following the BSC Curriculum.  Everyone should know exactly what the players are going to be taught during the season.  (Follow up by sending the team an email link to the BSC Curriculum.) Let them know details about playing time, positions and goalkeeping rotations.  Here are some basic guidelines for these issues.

Playing Time - Each player will play at least 50% of every game.  Performance will never affect playing time.  Playing time will be reduced only when team rules are violated.  Invite parents to check in with you after a game if their player plays less than 50% as there is surely a discipline issue that needs to be discussed.

Positions - This varies at the different age groups.  U9/10 - Every player will play equal time at every position across the season.  U11/12 - Players will begin to specialize.  Playing 50% of the season at a preferred position and the other 50% playing all the other positions.  U13/14 - Players will play 75% of the time in a preferred position but will still get occasional opportunities to play other positions across the season.

Goalkeeping rotations - At U9/10 every player should be rotated through the GK position equally.  At U11/12 players should be encouraged to play GK (even if only occasionally) but unwilling players no longer need to play GK at this age.  By U13/14 teams usually have dedicated GK’s.

#3 Set some rules.  A few basic rules for both players and parents will let everyone know your expectations.  Let the parents know that their support of the coach and the team rules is an essential component to team discipline.

Rules for Players - It’s best to only institute a few general rules.  Make sure they reflect what is important to you as a coach and that they are age appropriate.  Here are a few examples:

• Everyone must pay attention when a coach is talking.
• Respect your teammates, coaches, opponents and officials.
• Socializing will stop when it’s time to practice/play.
• Everyone must give 100%. 
• Have Fun!

Consequences for players breaking the rules - It’s vital that both players and parents know the consequences before the season begins.  It’s best to be fair but firm if a coach wants to positively effect team behaviors.  I encourage coaches to use a four strike process.  The first strike will be handled with a player-coach discussion regarding the behavior that needs to be modified.  A second strike creates a player-parent-coach discussion.  (This will usually do the trick 99% of the time, sssuming you have the support of the parent.)  A third strike creates a one week suspension from all team activities.  A fourth strike causes the player to be permanently removed from the team.

Rules for Parents - It’s good to have a few rules for the parents to clearly set expectations for their behaviors and responsibilities.  Here are a few examples:

• Appropriate sideline behavior at all times.  (Positive cheering.  No yelling at officials.  No coaching from the sideline.)
• Be punctual.  Let the coaches/manager know if you’re going to be late to a game or practice.
• Attendance.  Select Team players must attend 90% of practice and games.  Non-Select Team players must attend 75% of practices and games.  Our players must show a strong commitment to both the sport of soccer and to their team.

Consequences for parents breaking the rules - I also believe in a four strike process for the parents as well.  The first strike creates a parent-coach meeting to discuss the infraction.  The second strike creates a parent-coach-BSC Director of Coaching meeting.  The third strike creates a one week suspension.  And the fourth strike causes the player to be permanently removed from the team.